I'm revising from the band to the sleeve because of esophageal motility issues. I have very mixed feelings about it because I love my band, but I can't risk permanent damage to my esophagus.

I'm curious to hear how other ex-bandsters compare the benefits of the band versus the sleeve. I don't need to hear all the bad things your band did because I assume you wouldn't have revised otherwise. I just want to hear the things you like(d) best about the band vs. the sleeve.

For example, for the last 2-3 years with my band, I experienced very little physical hunger. In addition, my appetite was suppressed - I didn't think much about food, could pretty much take it or leave it, some foods just didn't appeal to me any more, and many foods that I used to love tasted different, sort of bland. All that made it much easier for me to maintain my weight loss.

Since having a complete unfill in late February, my physical hunger has returned with a vengeance, and so has my appetite. Food tastes wonderful again, I think about it a lot, and the very same foods that tasted bland before now taste good again. I haven't gone crazy with food, but since I'm so hungry and have no restriction, I'm eating more than enough and have re-gained 15 lbs.

I've been told that the sleeve eliminates or reduces physical hunger because of the reduction in grehlin production. Has that been true for you? What about your appetite and enjoyment of food? Finally, do you experience early satiety with the sleeve?

thanks!

Jean

There is a band to sleeve revision forum here that you might want to check out.

I think there are some people that have been successful in achieving weight loss with the band. They work hard at it and use it as a tool. One of the many problems is, I think, that the weight eventually comes back (as it did with me), and the band really isn't meant to be a permanent implement in your body. After a while, it has to be removed or replaced, and so many things can go wrong from hiatal hernias to erosion, scar tissue, and ulcers.

My band and port was being strangled by scar tissue and was causing me pain. I wanted it to come out desparately anyway when I realized I had band-induced bulimia.

I don't think you will find a lot of people here at this forum cheering on the use on the band, but if you want another perceptive, there is another forum that you could ask on: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/

I think the sensation of hunger varies from individual to individual. It is true that the hormone grehlin is removed when 85% of your stomach is removed; however, that is only one of about a hundred or more hormones that regulate hunger. I feel hunger when I haven't eaten in a while. I'm only two and a half weeks out from surgery, but I would say that the sensation of hunger is greatly reduced, and I think that will be a mostly permanent condition. I think the sleeve is a much more permanent solution for weight loss compared to the band, and it also has a much longer history of success than the band has.

I still enjoy food, and I am satiated after my incredibly small meal:-) I had a small slice of pizza last night with chicken sauage on top, and it was delicious, followed by a sugar free pudding.

Thought you might like this: http://www.bfdblog.c...f-the-lap-band/

This is an excellent article as well by the National Research Center for Women and Families: http://www.center4research.org/2011/04/not-quite-everything-you-need-to-know-about-lap-bands/

Ok, first let me start with the band.

Band Loves:

-that it was adjustable, I could get it deflated if I have long overseas trips or if I got pregnant, etc.

-In the beginning it really worked for me and I lost 100#

Band hates:

-A lot of times I was hungry, but stuck--couldn't eat anything but my stomach was growling because it was stuck above the band.

-There were a lot of foods that I couldn't eat, including eggs, which I normally eat every day (and now I do!)

Sleeve loves:

-I can eat EVERYTHING I want--not a single thing gives me problems, not even eggs or sandwiches or bread.The thing it is in moderation and it is a VERY different full feeling from the band. Like I said with the band, I didn't feel full often, I felt stuck. But with the sleeve I feel very full and the fullness lasts for hours (4 at least).

-I literally do not think about food, nor to I feel like eating and I have to force myself to eat. Before I would think about my next meal while I was eating a current meal. It seems my food addiction is gone (with the exception of high emotional stress, I tend to think about getting something to eat).

-I am losing so much faster with the sleeve, I can't stress how much I love it!

-There is no maintenance for the sleeve like the band where you have to get fills (I went every 3 weeks for 5 years with my band).

Sleeve dislikes:

-I didn't like staying in the hospital--but it was must

-I didn't like the lonnnnnng post-op diet, but made it through it

-There is nothing else I don't like about the sleeve

Thanks to everyone for your helpful responses!

Initially I lost about 80 lbs with the band but then gained 50 back. I was vomiting & sliming everyday. I couldnt eat chicken, turkey or veggies & salad. I couldnt imagine vomiting on a regular basis for the rest of my life. I'm glad its out and I'm losing again. It's alot of work. I exercise 6 days a week. I'm happy I can eat healthy food again. I was always hungry with the band. I just couldnt physically eat. I'm still feel hunger more than some on here. I dont forget to eat but I dont have starving feeling all the time. Its managable.

Let me add, because of the band-induced bulimia that my previously perfect teeth have had to have fillings on the fronts of almost all of them because of the gum recession from all of the vomiting. And there seems to be no end to the recession, I'm scared of actually losing teeth.